KARACHI, June 9: The first-ever football series between arch-rivals India and Pakistan kicks off on Sunday, with officials here hoping it will boost a sport that is often overlooked on the cricket-crazy subcontinent.

The three matches come amid a thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours which has allowed a pair of riveting cricket series to take place since India lifted a ban on all sporting ties in October 2003.

Now Pakistan hopes long-neglected soccer will also profit.

“Pakistan football will usher into a new era with this series,” Pakistan Football Federation president Faisal Saleh Hayat said.

“Just like cricket became popular in Pakistan with India series in 1978, we hope that football will get the kick-off with this visit,” added Faisal.

The first match will be played at Quetta on June 12 followed by the second at Peshawar on June 16 and third in Lahore on June 18.

Pakistani football reached its peak during the team’s visit to India 45 years ago when they beat a formidable Iran 4-1 in the Asian Cup qualifiers and also thrashed India to earn respect among its Asian rivals.

Also in 1960, Pakistan finished fourth in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia and grabbed second position two years later when they outplayed Japan 3-1 and Thailand 7-0. In the 1954 Asian Games Pakistan thrashed Singapore 6-2.

But in the modern era Pakistani football has plummeted to its lowest ebb, mainly due to lack of government support and the absence of any infrastructure to groom talent.

It is currently ranked 177 in the FIFA rankings.

Pakistan football also suffered a severe blow in 1994 when FIFA slapped a five-week ban on the international team after the government intervened in the federation’s affairs.

Former Pakistani player Ali Nawaz described the upcoming series as a huge step towards improving the standard of football in the country.

“Pakistan football needs heroes and they can only be produced with a series against India where deep feelings are involved,” said Nawaz.

National Bank of Pakistan will be the title sponsors of the upcoming series.—AFP